International Politics ///

Plus ca change, plus c'est la même chose (The more it changes, the more it is the same). Energy hacks face many difficulties, especially in Washington. Partly, it is the task of reporting what one knows to be lies. And if that doesn't work, one has to painstakingly make up one’s own lies. Such is emphatically the case in the run-up to the 2002 elections.
Energy policy is a key part of the election, with control of Congress lying in a few tight races. Most of these are in the oil patch, including such energy-producing states as Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. A lot of the voters in these states have a direct, personal interest, in that they are employed in the oil and gas industry. Yet, it is hopeless to try to predict what will happen in November. And over it all hangs the threat of that most dangerous of political animals: the lame-duck Congress, which can do anything it wants to do without fear of political repercussions.